Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-05-26
THE SARSFIELD GUARDS,


THE SARSFIELD GUARDS,
marched to the drill grounds and commenced
operations Their uniforms were blue trousers
with white stripes, frock coats OF darker shade
of blue, with single row OF brass buttons down
the front, and black helmets, with gold fronts and
spikes. They showed up first rate in the manual,
but their marching was not OF the first order. They
Unexpectedly aimed directly at the grand stand
when they fired with blank cartridges, much TO
the dissatisfaction Of the ladies, and although
they fired WELL they received no applause for ii.
suppose even one cartridge should not be
blank!" was an exclamation frequently heard.
The spectators hold that the soldiers have to fire
it might well be done in a different direction,
and their criticisms would seem TO be very just.
COMPANY C. FIRST NEW JERSEY,
was the next to appear on the drill grounds.
Their uniform was similar to that OF the COnnecti-
cut company that preceded them. The New Jer-
sey men did fairly well. Like all the other COM
panieS they had difficulty in coming to company
front from single file, ii that is what the move
ment is called. On several occasions they failed
to keep step besides allowing the line TO become
ragged. Their bank-cartridge firing was very
good, and all the more appreciated as The
guns were not pointed at the crowd. Their.wheel-
Ing was not good
COMPANY B, W. L. INFANTRY,
Capt. Ross in command, next marched in front Of
the grand stand. Their appearance was at
tracttve as that Of any organization that has yet
appeared AS soon as they entered the southern
gate they were received with rounds OF applause
and cheers by the spectators, most Of whom were
familiar with the big black bear skins and white
coats OF the local organization, and were anxious
to see the crack company compete with similar or
ganizationS from other localities. When they
marched up in fourS and then swung into company
front like clock work. the cheers burst forth afresh.
Capt Ross then drew forth his program and began
his orders. Guns were stacked, and, facing about
as one man, they maached away in company front,
only to halt Like machine, at the word OK COM
mand. Capt. Ross orders were given in such
clear distinct voice that they could easily be under
stood on the grand stand. In marching, one made
an error and dropped back "A step for moment.
He did not regain his position quick enough to es
cape the eyes OF the judges. The men were
brought up to their guns in good shape. and the
manual which followed was capital ''We haynt
seen anything like it, was a general expression,
with the encOmiumS One man came TO a right
shoulder-shift, instead OF carry, which hurt them
the Louisiana Rifles, but they loaded and pulled
their triggers as one man. AT the command to lie
down, they fell as If all had been shot by the same
bullet, and they fired with equal precision. Their
wheeling was decidedly the best yet seen. The
enthusiasm OF the judges was aroused and they
followed their movements with extraordinary care.
They were one OF very few companies that caught
step Immediately in coming to company front from
double-Quick. The individual errors in marching
were but few, and their general work in this re-
Spect has not yet been equalled. Their double
quick in company front was near perfection as
possible. In their maneuverng they covered a
good deal more ground than any OF their prede-
cessOrs. When it came to firing blank cartridges
they aimed at the Cumberland which lay at
anchor waiting for this evenings engagement,
instead Of at the grand stand, which
gratified the spectators. In rising from kneel-
Ing posture there were a couple OF laggards
who broke the symmetry OF the line. One or their
volleyS so ragged as to leave the impression
that it was so intended. Capt Ross came in for
good deal Of praise for the manner in which he
handled his men. One gentleman remarked, she
has done twice as much left dressing and right
dressing as any other company, and that accounts
for his good lines" When CapL Ross handed his
program back to the judges his men were greeted
with loud cheers, and they marched out OF the
grounds to stirring music from the band, which
had caught the enthusiasm. The general verdict
was that the Washington boys have not yet been
beaten. AS they disappeared through the southern
gate
THE TOLEDO CADETS
marched up in front OF the grand stand in excel
lent style, and the applause was very generous.
They presented very snowy appearance, They
were nearly all exactly OF the same height, and
wore snOw-white trousers blue dress coats, with
three rows of brass buttons down the 'front.' white
belts gold epaulettes, small white helmets with
waving blue and white feather plumeS. While
in stacking arms they did it as If they had fxed
grooves for the guns to Slip in. 1t was evident
from the start that the Toledo boys
frst % prize. They fixed and anfixed bayonets bet
ter than any OF their competitors. Their manual
fired in that position they did it simultaneously
and they lay down and fired as one man at the
word Of command d. Tns ,a washington h boys wheeled
until one man, as the case with the Light In
fantry dropped back stepthe first error OF their
drill There was no ulSSulSiAS The Iact tnaL the
company from Toledo had not yet been equalled
They marched by fours by eightS, and company
| 'front.' wheeled this way and that at the word OF
Command without break. The only error made
up to this time was the individual mistake referred
to above The blank cartridges were fired towards
| the washington Monument, and the echo from
the fence which followed the discharge, satisfied
| that made the Light Infantry volley sound
ragged. The Toledo boys fired more than the
others. and wheeling about knelt on the ground
! and fired direct at the crowd. The cartridges
were all blank, however, and no damage was
done.
| them!" was q comment frequently heard among
| the spectators. Their alignment was perfect in
| every instance II seems that, while the program
is the same In every instance 1t can be Interpreted